Igniter mechanism for explosive-engines.



E. ROUNDS.

IGNITER MECHANISIVI FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION man 111211.14. 1913.

1 l 75, 82 1 Patented Mm. 14, 1916.

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E. ROUNDS.

IGNITER MECHANISM FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I4; |9I3. y l, 175,82 l Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- hllI-II.

ERDIX ROU'NDS, OT? OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY, ASSIG-NOR OF ONE-HALF TO GNTHER- WRIGHT MACH'INE COMPANY, 0F OWENSBOBO, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATIN.

IGNTER MECHANISM FOR EXPLOSIVE-ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, i916.

and this application filed. April 14,

1913. Serial No. 761,034.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that ERDIX RoUNDs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Owensboro, in the county of Daviss and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful improvements in lgniter Mechanism for Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

hiy invention relates to sparking mechanism for explosive engines of make and break type, and primarily to the mechanism for operating a movable electrode.

An object of my invention is to provide a sparker mechanism for explosive engines of make and break type in which a movable electrode is resiliently urged into engagement with a stationary electrode by means lpositively actuated aga-inst a spring, which, in turn, imparts the pressure yieldingly to the movable electrode, and stores energy, after completing the electrode movement for rever/singthe actuated parts to restore them to normal.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for actuating a movable electrode of an explosive engine sparker mechanism, comprising a trip rod, reciprocated at timed intervals, carrying a spring concentrically thereon, with the movement of the trip rod compressing the spring and its force transmitted to the electrode through intervening flexible connections, so as to swing the electrode for completing an electric circuit, with the spring energy subsequently stored and utilized to return all the parts to their normal position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a bushing for supporting the electrode of the sparker mechanism of an explosive engine with a. tapering annulus adapted to engage with a correspondingly tapered seat within the engine bore receiving the bushing, to provide a valve joint between the engaging parts for effectively sealing the joint against the escape of gases from the engine cylinder.

Further objects of my invention relate to details of construction for effectively controlling and operating a movable electrode for explosive engine sparking mechanism, in which a. single spring is utilized for threefold purposes, one to move an electrode to close an electric circuit, and a second, using its recoil pressure to restore the parts to a normal position, and third, to close circuit, to separate with hammer blow, and to hold in proper open position.

The features of my invention will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which z- Figure 1 is a top plan view of an explosive engine of three-cylinder type, with my improved sparker mechanism applied thereto. Fig. 2 's a side elevation of a portion of the engine, illustrating the transmission elements for revolving the cam shaft of the engine controlling the movements of the sparker mechanism. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the upper portion of one of the cylinders of the engine and head, showing my improved sparker mechanism in elevation in its operative position within the cylinder head. Fig. 4 is an enlarged central vertical section through the sparker mechanism and portion of the cylinder head. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on line a, a, Fig. l. Fig. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the electrode or tripping mechanism. Fig. 8 is a side elevation thereof.

The engine to which my improvement is applied may be of a type as disclosed in an application for Letters Patent, filed by me March 13, 1911, Serial No. 614,146, and from which the invention disclosed herein is a division, which more elaborately shows and describes the engine in detail, and the transmission mechanism for rotating the cam shaft for the sparking mechanism, receiving motion from the crank shaft of the engine, whereby the sparking mechanism of a series of engines may be operated in relative time movements, and, therefore, the description herein will only be directed to so much of an engine in general as will aid in a clear understanding of the construction and mode of operation of the sparking mechanism.

The description herein will refer primarily to a use with a single engine, although disclosing the controlling or operating' mechanism in some of the views for a multiple cylinder engine.

1, 2, 3, represent the cylinder heads of three engines, (see Fig. 1), each provided with supply and exhaust conduits and valves for controlling the admission of an explosive charge into a respective engine cylin- Vio der, and exhaust therefrom. These cylinder heads, and conduits therefor, may be of a general or specific construction, and of single or manifold type, a preferred form having been disclosed in said prior application, and in a second application on the manifold type of cylinder head, filed on even date herewith, although such features are secondary to the essential characteristics of my invention herein. Further, the sparker mechanism is shown as applied to the cylinder head and projects into the upper portion of the cylinder, and this also is incident to the particular type of engine illustrated and not characteristic to the invention. The application of the sparker mechanism to various types of engines, is readily coinprehensive from this description, which, in general, is directed for convenience to the particular type illustrated.

4L represents a plug or bushing for supporting the electrodes projecting through the bushing and into the cylinder of an engine. This plug or bushing has a ground tapered annulus 5, adapted to engage with a seat 6, formed in the bore of the cylinder' head, into which the bushing is inserted, providing a valve-like connection and forming an efficient seal between the parts. This form of bushing enables the sparker mechanism to be readily inserted or withdrawn and the plug frictionally held in position.

7 represents a stationary electrode projected through a bore formed in the plug or bushing of a larger diameter than the electrode, tially around the electrode, so as to enable the same to be insulated therefrom.

8 and 9 represent mica washers countersunk into the ends of the bushing, and engaged over the electrode to secure the electrode in a position free from bushing contact, and locked in position by the nuts 10. The end of the electrode, which projects into the cylinder, is provided with a contact pin 11, forming one pole of the sparker mechanism. 12 is a movable electrode in the form of a rod, journaling in the ends of the bushing and projected through the same. The intermediate portion of the bore receiving the rod 12 is of larger diameter than the ends to provide a clearance around the rod, eliminating the liability of its sticking as the bearing area is materially reduced and air is admitted which tends to cool the rod. The movable electrode at its end, which projects into the cylinder has a conical annular shoulder 13, engaging into a ground seat in the bushing, forming an efficient seal against the escape of gases from within the cylinder, and also tends to exclude the heat from the annular space surrounding the rod within the bushing.

14 represents an arm projecting from the movable electrode or rod 12, having a conto provide a clearance circumferenemployed for oscillating the movable electrode.

16 represents a trip rod, one end projected through a tapering orifice in the anvil arm 15, to provide a universal connection therewith, the rod at such end having nuts threaded thereon engaging one side of the anvil arm, to maintain the connection between the parts in one direction of movement.

17 represents a knife sleeve slidably supported upon the Vtrip rod and engaging against one side of the anvil arm opposite the nuts to provide a hinged connection with the anvil arm, and also permit longitudinal movement of the trip rod through the anvil arm. The trip rod 16 carries a spring 18 interposed between the knife sleeve 17 and a collar 19 fixed to the rod to maintain the knife sleeve under tension against the anvil arm, and impart motion thereto when the tension or energy of the spring is suiiicient to overcome the resistance of the movable electrode. The spring is compressed by the longitudinal movement of the trip rod, which receives its motion by a rotating cam engaging with one end of the trip rod. Such end of the trip rod 16 is provided with an oblong slot 21, through which a stud or guide support 22 projects, which is secured and projected from the cylinder head. The trip rod 16 rests upon a nut 23 screw threaded upon the stud 22 to adjust and aline the trip rod relatively to the cam.

24 represents a cam shaft journaled in suitable bearings on the cylinder head, upon which a cam 25 is fixed adapted to engage f in its rotation with the trip rod 16, see Figs. 7 and 8, to reciprocate said rod at the proper time to bring the contacts of the stationary and movable electrodes into engagement. Thus as the shoulder of the cam 25 engages the trip rod, it will move the same through the anvil arm 15 and compress the spring to store sufficient energy to move the movable electrode. After the trip rod has been released from the cam shoulder engagement the spring will force the parts to their normal position. This provides a flexible connection between the cam and anvil arm, creating a percussion action of one contact against the other, with the blows of a uniform action, irrespective of the length of movement of the trip rod and the recoil of the spring e`ective after a transposition of the resisting forces, which is converted from the cam to a contact, causing the spring to yield in an opposite direction, or in a direction toward the cam, which moves the rod in such direction, carrying with it the anvil arm, quickly breaking the circuit. This requires no stop plug to define the movements of the trip rod or sparker mechanism, and the movement of the trip rod is the same for either early or late ignition, and such timing is controlled as follows:- As the movable electrode is operated by the stored energy of the spring, no denite movement of the trip rod is required to bring the contacts into engagement and consequently no adjustment is necessary in the event of wear of the spark points, or in the insertion of new points or contacts.

26 represents spiral gear splined upon the cam shaft 24, so as to permit lateral movement thereof. This spiral gear has a sleeve extension 27, which is provided with an annular groove, into which yoke arms of the hand lever :2S engage for shifting the spiral gear during its rotation. The hand lever 28 is pivotally mounted upon a quadrant 29 secured to the engine cylinder head, or at any convenient position. The lever is also provided with a spring controlled detent adapted to engage into oriices in the quadrant, to lock the lever in any adjusted position. The spiral gear 26 meshes with a spiral gear 30, fixed on a shaft 3l, see Fig. 2, vertically supported and journaled upon the engine, and this shaft is rotated at proper speed, relative to the rotation of the crank shaft, from which it receives its power, and the transmission elements between such shafts may be of any type, but as this is secondary to the features of my invention herein, it is thought that further' elaboration thereon is not necessary, as the mechanical means for properly rotating a cam shaft for operating sparker mechanism is well known in this art. Y v

Shifting vthe spiral gear 26 laterally to the right or left will advance or retire the rotation of the cam relative to the time controlled movements of the inlet valve and piston, to produce early or late ignition, and when the hand lever 28 is locked in any adjusted position, such early or late ignition will be constant and continued.

Having described my invention, I claim :-d

l. A device of the character described, comprising two electrodes, a stationary and a movable normally non-contacting, an anvil arm projected from said movable electrode having a countersunk aperture, a trip-rod projected through said arm aperture and engaged with one side thereof, a

knife-edged member concentrically movable upon said trip rod, its knife edge engaging opposite sides of said arm and yieldingly urged thereto to normally confine the rod at right angles to the arm, means for universally supporting the free end of said triprod to accommodate for longitudinal transverse and pivotal motions, and rotative functioning means for intervally contacting said trip-rod.

2. In an ignition device, the combination with electrodes which are normally out of contact, an arm projected from one thereof to rock the same to cause a contact, a spring impelled trip rod yieldingly engaged with said arm, a support for the free end of said rod projected through an elongated slot in said rod for freely, pivotally, longitudinally and laterally movably supporting said rod, and means for intermittently engaging the free end of said rod to actuate the same.

3. ln an ignition device, the combination with electrodes which are normally out of contact, an arm projected from one thereof to rock the same to cause a contact, a spring impelled trip rod yieldingly, longitudinally, slidably and pivotally engaged with said arm, a support for the free end of said rod projected through an elongated slot in said rod for freely, pivotally, longitudinally and laterally movably supporting said rod, and means for intermittently engaging the free end of said rod to actuate the same.

4. In an ignition device, the combination with electrodes which are normally out of contact, an arm projected from one thereof to rock the same to cause a contact, a spring impelled trip rod yieldingly, longitudinally, slidably and pivotally engaged with said arm, a support for the free end of said rod projected through an elongated slot in said rod for freely, pivotally, longitudinally and laterally movably supporting said rod, means for intermittently engaging the free end of said rod to actuate the same, and means for adjusting the free end of said trip rod cordinately with its actuating means.

5. In an ignition device, a stationary electrode and a movable electrode having their contacting extremity projected into an engine cylinder normally out of contact, said movable electrode having an arm projected therefrom, a trip rod slidingly projected through a conical orifice in said arm, oppositely arranged coupling elements on said rod grasping said arm, one thereof comprising a rigid shoulder and a second a yieldingly urged knife for impelling said arm in one direction of rod movement, and said rod and arm jointly in an opposite direction, and normally maintain said arm at right angles to said rods, means for loosely supporting the free end of said rod, and means for intermittently actuating said rod.

6. ln an ignition device, a stationary electrode and a movable electrode having their contacting extremity projecting into an engine cylinder normally out of contact, said movable electrode having an arm projected therefrom, a trip rod slidingly projected through a conical orifice in said arm, oppositely arranged coupling elements on said rod engaging said arm, one thereof comprising a rigid shoulder and a second a yieldingly urgedV knife for impelling said arm in one direction of rod movement, and said rod and arm jointly in an opposite, retractory direction, and normally maintain said arm at right angles to said rod, means for intermittently actuating said rod, and means for loosely supporting the free end of said rod and cordinately adjusting the same to said actuating means. A

7 In an ignitiondevice for an explosive engine, a stationary electrode and armovable electrode having their contacting extremity projected into an engine cylinder normally lout of contact, said movable electrode having an arm projected therefrom, a trip rod slidingly projected through a conical oriice in said arm, oppositely arranged coupling elements on said rod grasping said arm, one thereof comprising a rigid shoulder and a second a yieldingly urged knife for impelling said arm in one direction of rod movement, and said rod and arm jointly in an opposite direction and normally maintain said arm at right angles to said rod, means for loosely supporting the free end of said rod, a shaft, a cam Von said shaft for intermittently operating said rod in timed coordination with the movements of the engine piston, and means for altering said timed cordination of said cam.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ERDIX ROUNDS.

Witnesses E. W. PEGRAM, JESSE GABBERT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for: veocents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

